He had grand plans for 84 Glenwood Ave. in Ross when he purchased the two-bedroom a few years ago. His idea was to tear it down and erect a newer, bigger home in its place, but he couldn't secure the variance permit to proceed.

Sandison quickly listed the property as-is, complete with its unfinished basement and unfulfilled potential. That's when it caught the attention of Richard Kelly, a journalist turned developer who was introduced to Sandison by Karin Narody of Decker Bullock Sotheby's International Realty. Kelly pleaded to partner with Sandison to rehab the property and then try selling.

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“We have what I like to call a 'Commonwealth Connection,’” Kelly said. “I'm Canadian and he's Scottish, so we just clicked from the start. We worked out a partnership agreement and started scribbling out ideas for the home.”

Kelly sees the result as a magnum opus. Gone is the unfinished basement with a 7-foot ceiling. In its place is a dynamic lower level, part of 600 square-feet added to the residence during the renovation. One of two master suites is located there, as is an office, living room, a powder room and multiple access points to a backyard shaded by mature trees.

One level up is an elevated redwood deck beyond the main living level. Its planks act as a shelter for the patio below.

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Details

Address: 84 Glenwood Ave., Ross

Price: $2.598 million

Features: Four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bathroom gingerbread-style home with a new foundation and more than 2,100 square-feet of living space. More than 600 square-feet of space was added to the residence, which now includes French doors opening to a patio and large backyard.

Open home: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday

Inside, white oak floors enhance a light-filled great room with gas fireplace and picture windows. Subway tile backsplashes and stainless steel appliances revolve around a center island with marble counter, built-in cooktop and breakfast bar in the contemporary kitchen. The staging work of San Francisco’s Spaces Design shows the home in its best light, Kelly said.

Crowning the home is a master suite hosting floating vanities, a walk-in shower and a soaking tub in its bathroom.

Larkspur architect Jared Polsky saw to it Kelly and Sandison's vision came to fruition, Kelly said.

“We loved the original house but wanted to open it up, and marry its classic lines with a more contemporary interior, I think we've done that,” he said.